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Victo Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Part 2 - Past Before the Past

Hi, all,

Two more questions, if I may. The inclusion or omission of 'had' drastically changes the meaning of a sentence, correct?

A week ago I crashed my car into a utility pole.

{This means that a week ago, I crashed my car into a utility pole. Period.}

**********

A week ago I had crashed my car into a utility pole.

{If we leave this sentence as is (without additional context), I think it means that 'I already crashed my car into a utility pole before some other unspecified action or event' – i.e. I may have crashed my car before later slipping on the ice. Is this correct logic?}


Thank you.
  

Top answer

Two more questions, if I may. The inclusion or omission of 'had' drastically changes the meaning of a sentence, correct? A week ago I crashed my car into a utility pole.

  • Two more questions, if I may.
  • The inclusion or omission of 'had' drastically changes the meaning of a sentence, correct?
  • A week ago I crashed my car into a utility pole.
  • {This means that a week ago, I crashed my car into a utility pole.
  • } Yes ********** A week ago I had crashed my car into a utility pole.
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1 Answers
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Two more questions, if I may. The inclusion or omission of 'had' drastically changes the meaning of a sentence, correct?

A week ago I crashed my car into a utility pole.

{This means that a week ago, I crashed my car into a utility pole. Period.} Yes

**********

A week ago I had crashed my car into a utility pole.

{If w

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